Israeli forces detain over 70 after deadly West Bank settler clashes leave four Palestinians and two Israelis dead

On July 24‑25, 2026, armed Israeli settlers attacked villages in the occupied West Bank near Nablus, including Sarra and the Tell area. The assaults involved arson, stone‑throwing and gunfire, destroying homes and causing injuries. The violence resulted in the deaths of four Palestinians and two Israeli combatants, one of whom was a reservist.

In response, the Israeli military launched a sweeping operation across the territory. Troops remained in Tell and carried out raids on more than 300 locations, notably storming Nablus Specialty Hospital where staff and patients were detained and a seriously injured man, Ali Hussein Ali Ramadan, was arrested. The military announced that over 70 suspects—described as Hamas affiliates, arms traffickers and "terrorists"—were detained, with additional arrests of dozens of Palestinians in Ramallah, Hebron, Jenin and Bethlehem.

Separate incidents included the use of tear‑gas against Palestinians and journalists in the village of Tal, and reports of Israeli settlers sabotaging water wells in the region. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged “strong measures,” including demolition of the perpetrator’s house and accelerated settlement construction. The series of attacks and the massive security response have intensified tensions throughout the West Bank.